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Why Beauty Brands Are Putting CBD Oil In Their Products & What It Does

Unless you live under a rock, then you’ve probably heard about all of the beauty brands that are finding ways to incorporate CBD oil, or cannabidiol, into all sorts of products. From lip balms to moisturizers, even lubes that contains the oil is hitting the market. And considering back in June the first CBD-based drug was granted approval by the FDA for treating patients with epilepsy, it looks as if incorporating CBD oil into products is more than just a trend. But the questions are: Why is it such a craze? What exactly does CBD oil do? Will this craze last? How do you use CBD-infused products? Which ones are the best? And most importantly: are beauty brands trying to get you high? Not exactly.

Lucky for you, I’m here to answer all of these questions for you, because it is one thing to spark up a blunt at a party, but it is quite another to be fried all day, so read on to find out how exactly to use CBD-infused beauty products and what they can do for your daily routine.

What Exactly Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring cannabinoid constituent of cannabis (the marijuana plant). What makes the use of CBD attractive is the fact that, unlike THC, CBD doesn’t get you high, yet it can help relieve pain, ease anxiety, reduce depression, and clear acne and inflammation.

How Does It Work?

Have you ever experienced that feeling that some psycho people may refer to as a runner’s high? Me neither, but apparently it’s a feeling of “happiness” that occurs after a long run or a super intense workout. That feeling comes from a neurotransmitter produced in the brain called anandamide, also known as “the bliss molecule”.

Because I don’t know sh*t about how the nervous system works (except for that I’m a ball of nerves and anxiety myself), I dug deep into a study done by Dr. George Kunos, “The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging Target of Pharmacotherapy” for the National Institutes of Health. The study found that the bliss molecule is considered an endocannabinoid because it binds with CBD receptors, and when bound, the levels of anandamide or bliss molecules are elevated so that’s when the benefits of CBD are put to work.

Why Is It Being Used In Literally Everything All Of A Sudden?

When used topically, CBD oil has been found to reduce inflammation, regulate oil production, and relieve pain—all important attributes when it comes to reducing the signs of aging and treating skin issues like acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Since CBD oil is a non-steroid and naturally derived, it’s a much more attractive alternative to chemical-based products like retinols (which can be super harsh on the skin).

Can It Get You High?

Nope. Whether you’re a stoner or not, you’re most likely familiar with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Which is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. THC in weed is what gets you high while CBD is not psychoactive so, well … it doesn’t get you high.

It’s Legal, Right?

Ehhh it’s not not legal. It’s complicated because CBD is a relatively new fad, and the laws vary by state. But generally speaking, you should be fine with CBD-infused beauty products. Don’t @ me, though—I don’t have the money to post anybody’s bail.

These hemp-derived CBD bath bombs provide soothing relief for sore muscles, joints, and cramps and also helps to reduce inflammation. There are three different strengths to choose from depending on how sore you are: 50mg “Swedish Massage, 100mg “Sports Massage”, and 200mg “Deep Tissue Massage”.

The Mane Betch

Kelsi is a New York City girl who loves hair products, vintage fur coats and any drink that contains both vodka and champagne. In addition to Betches, you may have seen some of her work on Allure.com, Teen Vogue.com and Mane Addicts.com, among other sites! See what your girl is up to on Instagram @Keke_andthecity.